Don't Miss These Mpox Symptoms in Children, They Mimic the Flu!

<p><p>The rise of monkeypox cases, also known as Mpox, has become a global concern due to the emergence of new strains or variants, leading to a spike in cases across several countries.&nbsp;</p><p>It is crucial for parents to be aware of the symptoms of Mpox in children, as this zoonotic disease can affect humans.</p><p>In August 2024, three countries outside Africa—Sweden, the Philippines, and Thailand—reported an increase in human Mpox cases.&nbsp;</p><p>Notably, Sweden and Thailand are the first countries outside Africa to report cases of the new variant, Clade 1.</p><p>Clade 1 is the latest Mpox variant, raising global alarm due to its rapid spread and the limited information available about it.&nbsp;</p><p>The disease spreads through close contact, including sexual contact.</p><p>Mpox has now spread beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo to countries such as Sweden, Thailand, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.</p><p>Mpox symptoms typically include a rash, flu-like symptoms, and fever.</p><p>However, in some cases, patients may only experience a rash or just fever and flu-like symptoms without a rash.&nbsp;</p><p>According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children and individuals with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe Mpox symptoms.&nbsp;</p><p>The virus is often transmitted to children through skin-to-skin contact during hugging, caregiving, or sharing a bed.</p><p>Additionally, Mpox can spread through the placenta during pregnancy, contact during childbirth, exposure to bodily fluids or droplets from an infected person, and contaminated objects.</p><p>So, what are the symptoms of Mpox in children?</p><p><strong>1. Flu-like Symptoms&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Early symptoms of Mpox often resemble the flu, including fever, muscle aches, and a sore throat.&nbsp;</p><p>Children can contract Mpox through contact with infected clothing or towels, touching open sores, or prolonged skin-to-skin contact, such as hugging.</p><p>In addition to fever, muscle aches, and a sore throat, other flu-like symptoms that may occur due to Mpox include chills and sweating along with a fever.</p><p><strong>2. Rash</strong></p><p>Children and teenagers typically develop a rash that first appears on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body.&nbsp;</p><p>This rash progresses from maculopapular lesions to vesicles, pustules, and eventually scabs.</p><p>According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the rash in children mostly appears on the body and face.&nbsp;</p><p>Additionally, children under the age of 12 generally do not develop a rash on the genital area or anogenital lesions. In contrast, anogenital lesions are more commonly seen in teenagers.</p><p><strong>3. Fatigue and Headache</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>People with Mpox often feel really tired and get frequent headaches.&nbsp;</p><p>Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms, making people feel drained and lacking energy, even if they haven’t done much.&nbsp;</p><p>This tiredness can interfere with daily activities, making it hard to keep up with regular tasks or stay productive.</p><p>Headaches are also quite common with Mpox.&nbsp;</p><p>They can range from mild to severe and often feel like a constant pressure or throbbing.&nbsp;</p><p>These headaches might last for hours or even days, sometimes making it tough to focus or handle bright lights and loud sounds.&nbsp;</p><p>The combination of feeling so tired and dealing with persistent headaches can be pretty challenging.</p><p>Both fatigue and headaches can affect daily life and make people feel off both physically and emotionally.&nbsp;</p><p>They might find themselves feeling more irritable or having trouble concentrating.&nbsp;</p><p>Overall, dealing with these symptoms can make the whole experience with Mpox a lot harder to handle.</p><p><strong>4. Difficulty Swallowing</strong></p><p>This problem occurs when sores develop in the mouth and throat area.&nbsp;</p><p>These sores can show up on various spots like the lips, tongue, the roof of the mouth (both hard and soft palate), the uvula (the small hanging part at the back of the throat), or the floor of the mouth.</p><p>When these sores appear, they can make eating, drinking, and even talking uncomfortable.&nbsp;</p><p>Sores on the lips or tongue can be particularly painful, making it hard to enjoy meals.&nbsp;</p><p>If they’re on the roof of the mouth, they can hurt while chewing or speaking. Sores on the uvula can also make swallowing difficult.</p><p>Sores on the floor of the mouth can make it uncomfortable to move your tongue or eat.&nbsp;</p><p>This might even reduce your appetite and make it harder to get the nutrition you need.&nbsp;</p><p>In severe cases, these sores can lead to more problems if they aren’t treated properly.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>5. Eyelid Swelling</strong></p><p>Intraocular lesions, eyelid swelling, or eyelid hardening may occur if lesions develop near or within the eye.&nbsp;</p><p>This can happen if a patient touches the area with their hand after touching a lesion.</p><p><strong>6. Back Pain</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Children with Mpox have also been reported to experience back pain.</p><p>This symptom typically appears within 5-21 days after exposure.</p><p><strong>7. Joint Pain&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Some children who contract Mpox may experience joint pain as a symptom of the infection.</p><p>This type of pain can vary in intensity, from mild discomfort to more severe aches that affect daily activities.</p><p>Joint pain related to Mpox usually develops as part of the body’s overall response to the infection and can be quite distressing for both the child and their caregivers.</p><p>The pain might be felt in one or more joints and can sometimes be accompanied by swelling or stiffness.</p><p>This can make movements difficult and may cause additional discomfort when trying to perform routine tasks like walking, climbing, or playing.&nbsp;</p><p>Children might also experience a reduced range of motion in the affected joints, further impacting their ability to engage in physical activities.</p><p>This symptom is part of the body's inflammatory response to the virus, where the immune system reacts to fight off the infection.&nbsp;</p><p>Joint pain can be particularly troublesome because it adds to the already challenging symptoms of Mpox, such as fever, rash, and fatigue.</p><p><strong>8. Swollen Glands</strong></p><p>One of the common symptoms of Mpox is swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy.</p><p>This is reported as a sign that the immune system is starting to fight off the infection, virus, or bacteria.</p><p><figure data-trix-attachment="{&quot;contentType&quot;:&quot;image&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:2000,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://mata-prod.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/news/image-article/48d749e5-82a0-4844-ab96-c1844e54ec74/1725110135739.webp&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:800}" data-trix-content-type="image" class="attachment attachment--preview"><img src="https://mata-prod.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/news/image-article/48d749e5-82a0-4844-ab96-c1844e54ec74/1725110135739.webp" width="800" height="2000"><figcaption class="attachment__caption"></figcaption></figure></p><p><br></p></p>